13 Cesarean Section Birth Thirteen

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The Hu family had a visitor. After the eldest aunt finished speaking, she wisely retreated back into her own home, keeping her ear tuned to the noises next door.

Mrs. Hu felt as if she were dreaming, afraid she might have misunderstood, yet she stepped forward with a smile: “Sister-in-law, do you have some matter to discuss?”

The matchmaker, who had lived a life of wealth and status yet bore none of the haughtiness such privilege might inspire, sized them up from head to toe and then beamed brightly: “Sister, I’ve come to offer my congratulations. You’ve raised a fine son!”

Mrs. Hu’s heart skipped a beat at these words.

No matter how she heard it, it sounded as if a noble family had taken interest in her son.

To be honest, when her son was taken away by others, Mrs. Hu felt as if she had been gifted the greatest blessing. Sometimes, in the dead of night, she would pinch herself, afraid it was all a dream.

Yet she would never dare to dream of the young lady of the Dong family. What she hoped was that once her son had learned the trade of an accountant, he would repay the family debts first, then find a gentle and virtuous wife to marry. The couple could support each other, and she would be at ease.

Mrs. Hu’s mind was in turmoil as she recalled the rumors about the lady of the Dong family.

The matchmaker got straight to the point, having someone bring in the betrothal gifts. She spoke of Luo Mei-niang’s tragic life and the rarity of true love.

Mrs. Hu did not resist the marriage proposal. What was wrong with marrying up? After enduring years of hardship, she had already understood that enduring some grievances was nothing. Without money, one could not hold their head high. Compared to bowing to others outside and being despised, bowing to one’s own daughter-in-law was nothing.

Her smile grew wider as the matchmaker’s tone suddenly shifted: “Sister-in-law, in my opinion, this marriage is perfect in every way. But Miss Luo… she’s had her womb cut open. She will never bear children in this lifetime…”

“That doesn’t matter,” Mrs. Hu replied promptly. It was not out of flattery or a disregard for grandchildren to cling to the Luo family, but her son’s health was frail. Before meeting Miss Luo, he was on the verge of collapse.

If your own life is at risk, how can you worry about descendants?

As long as her son could live well, that was enough.

Mrs. Hu explained this, and no matter what the matchmaker thought, she accepted this on the surface without showing any surprise and congratulated them again.

After seeing the matchmaker off, Mrs. Hu belatedly realized she hadn’t even asked her son’s opinion. She blamed the matchmaker’s silver tongue, which implied that her son was not opposed to the matter and was even excited.

Mrs. Hu dared not act alone and hurried out to find her son to discuss it.

Meanwhile, Hu Yi’an was uneasy, haunted by a strange and vivid dream filled with many events that felt more like real experiences than mere dreams.

He slept most of the day and upon waking, found it was already dark. Opening his eyes, he saw a figure sitting beside him—a slender silhouette in the darkness. Without hesitation, he turned over, reached out, and embraced her.

“Yun Li!”

His voice was a sigh but carried deep satisfaction.

Chu Yunli smiled faintly, wrapping her arms around his waist: “You remember now?”

She was willing to help him dissipate grievances just as she had helped others. After so long, the underworld was no longer as casual in selecting someone like Chu Yunli. Although it had sent him here, it came with conditions requiring a strong will to succeed. He must remember who he truly was to move forward.

After all they had been through, Chu Yunli did not think he would forget.

Indeed, no more than a few days after their reunion, Hu Yi’an had passed the test.

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“I will take care of you from now on.” Thinking of Luo Mei-niang’s suffering, Hu Yi’an’s anger could no longer be contained. Moreover, calculating the timing, Chu Yunli had just undergone a cesarean or was possibly still recovering from one… just thinking about it made his heart ache.

Chu Yunli smiled warmly: “We’ll take care of each other.”

The two slender figures drew close, their breaths mingling.

His complexion was pale, yet he was spirited and restless, unable to sleep. Chu Yunli asked about what had happened to him.

With a serious expression, he recalled and recounted the events.

“Speaking of which, the one who bullied me was connected to the Li family. That man is Li Hualin’s half-brother.”

Chu Yunli looked surprised: “His brother?”

Hu Yi’an nodded: “All his confidence comes from the Li family. It seems Madam Li doesn’t yet know about this.”

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and these two had indeed reunited after a long separation… just as they were lost in each other’s embrace, there was a knock on the door. The steward’s tone was odd: “Miss, Aunt Hu has arrived, you…”

Though the marriage was nearly settled, it was still improper for an unmarried man and woman to be alone together. But now that the visitor was the groom’s mother, the steward suspected the young lady might have wronged a decent man, and his family had come to demand justice.

Chu Yunli lit the room’s candle and opened the door to find Mrs. Hu standing there.

Mrs. Hu looked embarrassed. She had not been mistaken—the room had been dark.

In the dark, with a young man and woman alone, it was hard to believe nothing had happened. Yet knowing her son’s frail health, even if they wanted to, they likely lacked the strength. Forcing the issue might only cause Miss Luo to disdain him.

Seeing her son standing there, looking paler and more worn than before, she stepped forward worriedly: “Yi’an, are you alright?”

For the restored Hu Yi’an, his mother was still his dear parent. Their years of mutual reliance were genuine. He smiled: “I’m fine.”

Mrs. Hu looked carefully. Though pale, his spirit was much improved. She glanced at Chu Yunli: “You two… do you agree to this marriage?”

Hu Yi’an was momentarily stunned: “What marriage?” But as the words left his mouth, he understood his mother’s meaning. He glanced meaningfully at Chu Yunli: “Is it so urgent?”

Chu Yunli lifted her chin slightly: “Don’t you agree?”

“Of course,” Hu Yi’an stepped forward, took her hand, and said affectionately: “I only regret having nothing to offer, unable to propose properly.”

Mrs. Hu was astonished. When did her son become so bold and… slick-tongued?

Yet, judging by his demeanor, he clearly consented. So agreeing to the marriage was not wrong. Honestly, with the atmosphere between the two so intimate, standing there made her feel awkward. Turning away, she looked out the window into the darkness and said at once: “Yi’an, it’s late. Let’s go home.”

Hu Yi’an nodded, then turned to Chu Yunli with a warm smile: “Thank you, miss, for saving me once again.”

Chu Yunli glared at him, withdrew her hand, and instructed the steward to prepare the carriage.

The steward: “…” Sending her off personally after being alone together — it looked suspiciously like someone had been taken advantage of.

Of course, one was ill, the other severely injured and depleted of energy. No such thing could have happened. The steward snapped back to reality and led the mother and son downstairs.

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The steward was respectful, but one of the Hu family was indifferent and the other distracted. Mrs. Hu had never noticed that her son could look at someone with such eyes. Even as she descended, she sensed the gaze of Miss Luo upstairs. At that moment, she felt less like a mother welcoming her son home, and more like a villain breaking up a pair of lovers. If the timing had been right, she would have urged her son to stay.

Mother and son got into the carriage, and out of consideration for the coachman, kept silent.

Once inside the house, Mrs. Hu could no longer hold back: “What exactly is going on between you and Miss Hu?”

Hu Yi’an helped his mother inside: “It’s exactly as you saw. She loves me, and I love her. When you kept urging me to get engaged before, I felt it wasn’t right. Now I feel complete. Mother, in this life, I either marry no one, or only marry her.”

Mrs. Hu was shocked—was it really that serious?

In the vast world with millions of people, so many men and women, could one not live without another?

But after her initial surprise, she relaxed. When love runs deep, nothing seems strange. She had worried he might be after Miss Luo’s wealth, but seeing how sincerely he cared, she finally let go.

“Take good care of each other from now on.”

Hu Yi’an apologized: “Mother, I’m afraid I won’t be able to continue the Hu family line.”

Mrs. Hu raised her hand to stop him: “Don’t say that. Your dead father left us with so many debts before he passed early. I have done my best for him in this life. It’s already luck that we survived. Managing ourselves is enough; what’s the use of descendants? Besides, Miss Luo has a child just a month old. Treat him well…”

Listening to his mother’s many instructions, Hu Yi’an’s eyes grew moist unintentionally. Truly, he was luckier than most. No matter how hard life was, he had a mother who genuinely cared. But he… had no family at first. Fortunately, he had Chu Yunli; otherwise, his life would be utterly miserable, and he would be forced to pity himself.

That night, mother and son each harbored their own thoughts and both slept restlessly.

The next morning, Hu Yi’an rose early, ready to go to the shop to do the accounts. He remembered many business tips and planned to test them one by one.

Not long after reaching the street, he was stopped. He looked up to see Li’s father in a carriage.

He raised an eyebrow slightly: “Old Master Li, a good dog doesn’t block the way.”

Li’s father was furious beyond measure. He never dreamed Hu Yi’an had such audacity to call him a dog… He exploded in anger: “Hu Yi’an, speak plainly. I’m here to warn you—stay away from people you shouldn’t touch. Otherwise, you won’t even know how you died.”

Hu Yi’an nodded: “Noted, Old Master Li. May I ask how your son is doing lately?”

Hearing this, Li’s father immediately thought of Li Hualin in prison and his face darkened.

It was like poking a sore spot; Hu Yi’an was deliberately provoking him.

He wanted to threaten the boy into behaving less arrogantly. But Hu Yi’an went on: “I mean the Yao family. Truth be told, my weak health now is thanks to him. My fiancée and I have been cursed eight generations to have met your Li family.”

Li’s father was alarmed.

How did Hu Yi’an learn this news? How much did the Luo family know?

Thinking of his wife’s stinginess, his mind instantly became a chaotic mess.